Sealable container for transporting breakable items

ABSTRACT

Sealable containers for transporting breakable items are provided. Sealable containers for transporting breakable items include: a cylindrical body having a closed end, a threaded open end opposite the closed end, an inner surface, and an outer surface; at least one body of cushioning material; a closure configured to threadedly engage the threaded open end of the cylindrical body; at least one sheet of foam on the inner surface; at least one thermal blanket; at least one disc of foam inside the cylindrical body adjacent the closed end; at least one disc of foam inside the cylindrical body near the threaded open end; foam having partially pre-cut sections configured to be removable; a sealing ring configured to produce a liquid-tight seal when the closure threadedly engages the threaded open end; at least one fitting on the outer surface of the cylindrical body; and at least one strap connected to the at least one fitting.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/874,050, filed on Dec. 11, 2006, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/966,927, filed on Aug. 30, 2007, the entire contentsof each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to containers, and moreparticularly to sealable containers for transporting breakable items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In view of recent rules promulgated by the United States TransportationSafety Administration requiring that containers of greater than threeounces containing liquids be transported only in checked luggage, manyair travelers often find themselves in a predicament. Air travelersoften desire to transport liquid-holding containers, such as wine orshampoo bottles, which may be breakable or ruptureable. However, stowingsuch containers in a traveler's personal luggage creates the danger ofnot only losing the value of the liquid item, but also of ruining otheritems in the same luggage, or even having such luggage confiscated bysafety personnel.

Containers for transporting breakable items are known, but are typicallyconfigured to transport only a predetermined item having a particularsize and shape. Also, known containers for transporting breakable itemsare typically not sealable such that they are liquid-tight, especiallyunder the application of a force, such as when dropped.

Accordingly, a need exists for an inexpensive, light-weight, adjustable,reusable, sealable container for transporting breakable items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention are directed towardsealable containers for transporting breakable items. Embodiments ofcontainers of the present invention are sealable to be liquid-tight,such that a liquid can neither enter nor escape from a sealed container.Another aspect of embodiments of the present invention is the protectionprovided by a container to a breakable item against impact or shock.Embodiments of the present invention additionally may provide thermalinsulation to a breakable item. Still another aspect of containers ofthe present invention is light weight and ease of transporting,facilitated in some embodiments by a carrying strap. Yet another aspectof embodiments according to the present invention is that the containersare configurable to transport breakable items having a variety of sizesand shapes.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a sealable container fortransporting breakable items that includes a cylindrical body includinga closed end, a threaded open end opposite the closed end, an innersurface, and an outer surface; at least one body of cushioning materialwithin the cylindrical body; and a closure having a flange, the closurebeing configured to threadedly engage the open end of the cylindricalbody; wherein when the closure threadedly engages the open end of thecylindrical body, the flange of the closure abuts the inner surface ofthe cylindrical body.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a sealable container fortransporting breakable items that includes a cylindrical body having aclosed end, a threaded open end, an inner surface, and an outer surface;at least one body of cushioning material within the cylindrical body; aclosure configured to threadedly engage the threaded open end of thecylindrical body; at least one sheet of foam on the inner surface of thecylindrical body; foam inside the cylindrical body, the foam havingpartially pre-cut sections configured to be removable; at least one discof foam inside the cylindrical body adjacent the closed end; and asealing ring configured to produce a liquid-tight seal when the closurethreadedly engages the threaded open end of the cylindrical body;wherein when the closure threadedly engages the threaded open end of thecylindrical body, the flange of the closure abuts the inner surface ofthe cylindrical body.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a system fortransporting breakable items that includes a cylindrical body having aclosed end, a threaded open end opposite the closed end, an innersurface, and an outer surface; a closure having a flange, the closurebeing configured to threadedly engage the threaded open end of thecylindrical body; at least one disc of foam inside the cylindrical bodyadjacent the closed end; at least one disc of foam inside thecylindrical body near the threaded open end; a plurality ofinterchangeable inserts, each positionable adjacent the inner surface tocushion and/or thermally insulate a breakable item, the plurality ofinterchangeable inserts including at least one sheet of foam on theinner surface of the cylindrical body and at least one thermal blanketconfigured to provide thermal insulation of a breakable item; and asealing ring configured to produce a liquid-tight seal when the closurethreadedly engages the threaded open end of the cylindrical body.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, thefeatures of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the container of FIG. 1taken at line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the container of FIG. 1taken at line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a closure of a container according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a detail of the vertical sectional view of FIG. 2 showingengagement of a closure of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view through a container according toanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view through a container according toanother embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of foam of a container according to anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, embodiments of the present invention are directedto a sealable container for transporting breakable items. Embodiments ofsealable containers according to the present invention include acylindrical body having a closed end and a threaded open end. Sealablecontainers according to the present invention also include a body ofcushioning material within the cylindrical body, and a closureconfigured to engage the cylindrical body such that a flange of theclosure abuts an inner surface of the cylindrical body. The flange ofthe closure prevents distortion of the cylindrical body where engaged bythe closure under mechanical forces, thereby maintaining sealability ofthe container. A sealing ring may also be included to create aliquid-tight seal where the closure threadedly engages the open end ofthe cylindrical body. Embodiments of the present invention may includeone or more sheets or discs of foam inside the container, which maythermally insulate and/or absorb impact forces from a breakable item. Asealable container may also include a thermal blanket for furtherthermal insulation and protection against mechanical forces. Embodimentsof sealable containers according to the present invention may alsoinclude one or more straps for transportability.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sealable container 100 for transporting abreakable item 102 includes a cylindrical body 110 having an innersurface 112 and an outer surface 114. The cylindrical body also has aclosed end 116 and an open end 118. The open end 118 is threaded.Although shown having external threads 120 in FIG. 2, the open end 118may alternatively have internal threads.

The cylindrical body 110 of the present embodiment may be of any lengthand diameter suitable for receiving a particular breakable item. In oneembodiment, the length of the cylindrical body 110 may be betweenapproximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) and approximately 16 inches (40.6 cm).In another embodiment, the length of the cylindrical body 110 isapproximately 14 inches (35.6 cm). The diameter of the cylindrical bodymay be between approximately 4 inches (10.2 cm) and approximately 5inches (12.7 cm). The cylindrical body 110 may be formed by blowmolding, injection molding or any other suitable process, and may beformed of polycarbonate, high-density polyethylene, low-densitypolyethylene, polypropylene, or any other suitable material orcombination thereof having light weight and sufficient strength andimpact resistance to withstand a drop or a reasonable blow to thecontainer 100. Alternatively, the cylindrical body 110 may be formed ofa suitable sheet metal, such as aluminum or thin gauge tin or steel.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sealable container 100 alsoincludes a closure 130. The closure 130 may be formed by injectionmolding or any other suitable process, and may be formed of high-densitypolyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, rubber, or anyother suitable material or combination thereof. In the presentembodiment, the diameter of the closure 130 is approximately equal tothe diameter of the cylindrical body 110.

FIG. 5 details the closure 130 threadedly engaging the cylindrical body110. Although FIG. 5 depicts the closure 130 as having internal threads132, that is, on an inner surface of the closure 130, another embodimentof a closure may have external threads, on an exterior surface of theclosure. An embodiment of the closure having external threads wouldengage an embodiment of the cylindrical body having internal threads.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the closure 130 has aflange 134 having a diameter less than a diameter of the internalthreads 132. When the closure 130 threadedly engages the externalthreads 120 of the open end 118 of the cylindrical body 110, the flange134 abuts and/or is adjacent the inner surface 112 of the cylindricalbody 110. The flange 134 and the inner surface 112 may be spaced apartby a relatively small distance 135. The distance 135 may vary from a fewthousandths of an inch to approximately 1/16th of an inch, and in oneembodiment is approximately 1 mm. An embodiment of a closure havingexternal threads does not have a flange.

With further reference to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the closure 130 mayalso include a sealing ring 136. The sealing ring 136 is a compressiblematerial, such as rubber, which will compress to create a liquid-tightseal when the closure 130 threadedly engages the open end 118 of thecylindrical body 110. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4, an embodiment ofthe closure 130 has outwardly facing recessed pockets 138. The pockets138 are configured to facilitate a user in threadedly engaging ordisengaging the closure 130 and the open end 118 of the cylindrical body110, and may be approximately 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) deep.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, an embodiment of the container 100 alsoincludes a foam sheet 140 adjacent the inner surface 112 of thecylindrical body 110. The foam sheet 140 functions to cushion thebreakable item 102 from impact or other mechanical forces and alsoprovides thermal insulation to the breakable item 102. The foam sheet140 may be corrugated open-cell foam such as polyethylene,polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, polyether, or any other suitablematerial having cushioning properties. The dimensions of the foam sheet140 should be such that when the foam sheet 140 is given a cylindricalshape and inserted into the cylindrical body 110 adjacent the innersurface 112, the foam sheet 140 covers the diameter of the inner surface112.

The container 100 may also include a lower foam disc 142. The lower foamdisc 142 is adjacent the closed end 116 of the cylindrical body 110, asshown in FIG. 2. The breakable item 102 rests on and is cushioned by thelower foam disc 142. The diameter of the lower foam disc 142 isapproximately equal to the diameter of the inner surface 112 of thecylindrical body 110. The thickness of the lower foam disc 142 maydepend on the length of the breakable item 102, and in one embodiment isapproximately 1 inch (2.54 cm). The lower foam disc 142 may be open-cellfoam such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester,polyether, or any other suitable material having cushioning properties.

An embodiment of the container 100 may also include an upper foam disc144. The upper foam disc 144 is adjacent the open end 118 of thecylindrical body 110 and abuts a bottom surface of the closure 130, asshown in FIG. 2. The breakable item 102 is cushioned by the upper foamdisc 144 when the container 100 is not upright. The diameter of theupper foam disc 144 is approximately equal to the diameter of the innersurface 112 of the cylindrical body 110. Similar to the lower foam disc142, the thickness of the upper foam disc 144 may depend on the lengthof the breakable item 102, and in one embodiment is approximately 1 inch(2.54 cm). The upper foam disc 144 may be open-cell foam such aspolyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, polyether, or anyother suitable material having cushioning properties.

An embodiment of the container 100 may also include a receiving foamdisc 146. The receiving foam disc 146 may be adjacent the open end 118of the cylindrical body 110 and abutting a bottom surface of the closure130, or may be used in combination with and abutting a lower surface ofthe upper foam disc 144, as shown in FIG. 2. The breakable item 102 iscushioned by the receiving foam disc 146 and is further held in place byan aperture 147 sized to receive a portion of the breakable item 102,such as the neck of a bottle. The diameter of the receiving foam disc146 is approximately equal to the diameter of the inner surface 112 ofthe cylindrical body 110. The thickness of the receiving foam disc 146may depend on the length of the portion of the breakable item 102 to bereceived, and in one embodiment is approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm). Thereceiving foam disc 146 may be open-cell foam such as polyethylene,polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, polyether, or any other suitablematerial having cushioning properties.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present embodiment of a sealablecontainer 100 for transporting breakable items also includes one or morefittings 160 on the outer surface 114 of the cylindrical body 110 and astrap 162 connected to the one or more fittings 160. In the embodimentof FIGS. 1 and 2, there are two fittings 160 having a loop shape, eachfitting 160 being approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) long. In the presentembodiment, the fittings 160 are integrally molded with and formed ofthe same material as the outer surface 114 of the cylindrical body 110.The strap 162 of the present embodiment is connected to the two fittings160 by inserting the strap 162 through the loops of the fittings 160.The strap 162 may be a strap of polyethylene, nylon, polyester, or othersuitable material or combination thereof approximately 0.75 inches (1.91cm) wide. The strap 162 may include one or more buckles 164 formed ofacetal, nylon, polypropylene, or another suitable material orcombination thereof, or any other suitable device for adjusting thelength of the strap 162.

With reference to FIG. 6, another embodiment of a sealable container 600for transporting a breakable item 602 includes a closed-cell foam sheet640 and a thermal blanket 650. The closed-cell foam sheet 640 functionsto cushion the breakable item 602 from impact or other mechanical forcesand also provides thermal insulation to the breakable item 602. Theclosed-cell foam sheet 640 is closed-cell foam such as polyethylene,polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, polyether, or any other suitablematerial having cushioning properties. The dimensions of the closed-cellfoam sheet 640 should be such that when the closed-cell foam sheet 640is given a cylindrical shape and inserted into the cylindrical body 110adjacent the inner surface 112, the closed-cell foam sheet 640 coversthe diameter of the inner surface 112.

The thermal blanket 650 also functions to cushion the breakable item 602from impact or other mechanical forces and provides increased thermalinsulation to the breakable item 602. The thermal blanket 650 may be athermal blanket according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,333, Can. Patent No.1,291,073, or any other suitable material having thermally insulativeproperties. The dimensions of the thermal blanket 650 should be suchthat when the thermal blanket 650 is given a cylindrical shape andinserted into the cylindrical body 110 adjacent the inner surface 112 orclosed-cell foam sheet 640, the thermal blanket 650 covers the diameterof the inner surface 112 or closed-cell foam sheet 640, respectively.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment of a sealablecontainer 700 for transporting a breakable item 702 includes aclosed-cell foam sheet 740, similar to the closed-cell foam sheet 640described above with regard to the sealable container 600, and foam 750that is partially pre-cut or has perforations 752. The perforations 752,or scoring, of the foam 750, as illustrated in FIG. 8, allow a user toremove portions of the material along the perforations 752 so that thefoam 750 more closely matches the shape of the breakable item 702, andtherefore better cushions the breakable item 702. The foam 750 may beopen-cell foam such as polyurethane, closed-cell foam such aspolyethylene, or any other suitable material having cushioningproperties.

In utilizing a container according to one of the embodiments, a user mayfirst open the container by removing the closure. A foam disc is placedinside the cylindrical body, resting on the closed end. A sheet ofopen-cell foam is then placed in a cylindrical shape adjacent the innersurface of the cylindrical body, after which the breakable item may belowered into the container so that the breakable item rests on the foamdisc and surrounded by the open-cell foam. Alternatively, the open-cellfoam may be wrapped around the breakable item and the two may be placedinside the cylindrical body simultaneously, such that the open-cell foamis adjacent the inner surface of the cylindrical body and the breakableitem rests on the foam disc. After the breakable item has been placedinside the container, one or more additional foam discs are placed onthe breakable item to fill the space between the breakable item and abottom surface of the closure. The container is then sealed by threadingthe closure tightly to the open end of the cylindrical body such thatthe flange of the closure is adjacent or “abuts” the inner surface ofthe cylindrical body. As depicted in FIG. 1, a container may also haveone or more straps. A user may carry such a container by holding a strapor placing the strap over the user's shoulder or neck. After a breakableitem has been transported, it may be removed from the container bydisengaging the closure.

A container according to the embodiment of FIG. 6 includes a sheet ofclosed-cell foam and a thermal blanket. In use, a user of a containeraccording to this embodiment may insert the closed-cell foam around theinner surface of the cylindrical body, and then insert the thermalblanket in a cylindrical shape adjacent the closed-cell foam. At thispoint, a breakable item may be placed in the center of the cylindricalbody so that it is surrounded by the closed-cell foam and the thermalblanket. Alternatively, the closed-cell foam and the thermal blanket maybe stacked and placed inside the cylindrical body together. Anotheralternative for a user of this embodiment is to wrap the thermal blanketand the closed-cell foam around the breakable item before placing thethree inside the cylindrical body simultaneously. A container accordingto the embodiment of FIG. 6 is also used with the closure, and possiblythe foam discs and strap, as discussed above with respect to theembodiment of FIGS. 1-5.

In using a container according to the embodiment of FIG. 7, and withfurther reference to FIG. 8, a user can protect one of many possiblebreakable items having varying shapes and sizes by surrounding the itemwith foam that is partially pre-cut or perforated. The perforations, orscoring, of the foam, as illustrated in one configuration in FIG. 8,allow a user to remove portions from the center of the foam so that theremaining foam material more closely matches the shape of the item andtherefore better protects the item. In other words, a user cancustom-fit a foam form to the shape and size of a particular breakableitem, such as the camera shown in FIG. 7. A user may remove portions offoam by breaking the perforated foam along a horizontal plane, therebycreating an upper part and a lower part, and then removing portions fromthe interior of the perforated foam, thereby creating a foam form. Abreakable item may then be placed within an open region where theportions of foam were removed, and the upper part and lower part may berejoined, thereby enclosing the breakable item inside the foam form. Auser may insert a sheet of closed-cell foam around the inner surface ofthe cylindrical body, and then insert the foam form adjacent theclosed-cell foam. Alternatively, the closed-cell foam may be wrappedaround the foam form holding the breakable item and the three may beplaced inside the cylindrical body simultaneously. A container accordingto the embodiment of FIG. 7 is also used with the closure, and possiblythe foam discs and strap, as discussed above with respect to theembodiment of FIGS. 1-5.

Although the drawings illustrate the invention as applied to a containerused to transport a wine bottle and a container used to transport acamera, it will be apparent that the novel aspects of the container ofthe invention may also be utilized in transporting other types offragile or breakable items.

The preceding description has been presented with reference to variousembodiments of the invention. Persons skilled in the art and technologyto which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations andchanges in the described structures and methods of operation can bepracticed without meaningfully departing from the principles, spirit,and scope of this invention.

1. A sealable container for transporting breakable items, the sealablecontainer comprising: a cylindrical body comprising: a closed end; anopen end opposite the closed end, the open end being threaded; an innersurface; and an outer surface; at least one body of cushioning materialwithin the cylindrical body; and a closure having a flange, the closurebeing configured to threadedly engage the open end of the cylindricalbody; wherein when the closure threadedly engages the open end of thecylindrical body, the flange of the closure abuts the inner surface ofthe cylindrical body.
 2. The sealable container according to claim 1,wherein when the closure threadedly engages the open end of thecylindrical body, the flange of the closure and the inner surface of thecylindrical body are spaced by a distance of less than approximately0.10 inches (2.5 mm).
 3. The sealable container according to claim 1,further comprising at least one sheet of foam on the inner surface ofthe cylindrical body.
 4. The sealable container according to claim 3,wherein the at least one sheet of foam is corrugated open-cell foam. 5.The sealable container according to claim 3, wherein the at least onesheet of foam is closed-cell foam.
 6. The sealable container accordingto claim 5, further comprising at least one thermal blanket configuredto provide thermal insulation of a breakable item.
 7. The sealablecontainer according to claim 1, further comprising at least one disc offoam inside the cylindrical body adjacent the closed end.
 8. Thesealable container according to claim 1, further comprising at least onedisc of foam inside the cylindrical body near the open end.
 9. Thesealable container according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the atleast one disc of foam has an aperture configured to receive a breakableitem.
 10. The sealable container according to claim 1, furthercomprising foam inside the cylindrical body, the foam having partiallypre-cut sections configured to be removable.
 11. The sealable containeraccording to claim 1, further comprising a sealing ring configured toproduce a liquid-tight seal when the closure threadedly engages the openend of the cylindrical body.
 12. The sealable container according toclaim 1, further comprising: at least one fitting on the outer surfaceof the cylindrical body; and at least one strap connected to the atleast one fitting.
 13. The sealable container according to claim 1,wherein the cylindrical body is made of a synthetic polymeric materialformed by blow molding.
 14. The sealable container according to claim 1,wherein the cylindrical body is made of high-density polyethylene. 15.The sealable container according to claim 1, wherein the cylindricalbody is made of a synthetic polymeric material formed by injectionmolding.
 16. The sealable container according to claim 1, wherein theclosure is made of a synthetic polymeric material formed by injectionmolding.
 17. The sealable container according to claim 1, wherein theclosure has at least one outwardly facing recessed pocket configured tofacilitate threadedly engaging the open end of the cylindrical body. 18.A sealable container for transporting breakable items, the sealablecontainer comprising: a cylindrical body having a closed end, a threadedopen end, an inner surface, and an outer surface; at least one body ofcushioning material within the cylindrical body; a closure having aflange, the closure configured to threadedly engage the threaded openend of the cylindrical body; at least one sheet of foam on the innersurface of the cylindrical body; foam inside the cylindrical body, thefoam having partially pre-cut sections configured to be removable; atleast one disc of foam inside the cylindrical body adjacent the closedend; and a sealing ring configured to produce a liquid-tight seal whenthe closure threadedly engages the threaded open end of the cylindricalbody; wherein when the closure threadedly engages the threaded open endof the cylindrical body, the flange of the closure abuts the innersurface of the cylindrical body.
 19. A system for transporting breakableitems, the system comprising: a cylindrical body having a closed end, athreaded open end opposite the closed end, an inner surface, and anouter surface; a closure having a flange, the closure being configuredto threadedly engage the threaded open end of the cylindrical body; atleast one disc of foam inside the cylindrical body adjacent the closedend; at least one disc of foam inside the cylindrical body near thethreaded open end; a plurality of interchangeable inserts, eachpositionable adjacent the inner surface to cushion and/or thermallyinsulate a breakable item, the plurality of interchangeable insertscomprising: at least one sheet of foam on the inner surface of thecylindrical body; at least one thermal blanket configured to providethermal insulation of a breakable item; and a sealing ring configured toproduce a liquid-tight seal when the closure threadedly engages thethreaded open end of the cylindrical body.
 20. The system according toclaim 19, wherein when the closure threadedly engages the threaded openend of the cylindrical body, the flange of the closure abuts the innersurface of the cylindrical body.